Former Tennis Prodigy Kylie McKenzie Awarded $9 Million in Lawsuit Against USTA for Sexual Assault

Published: 07 May 2024 at 20:43

Tennis

Former tennis prodigy Kylie McKenzie has been awarded $9 million in a federal lawsuit against the United States Tennis Association (USTA) for not protecting her from being sexually assaulted by her former coach at a training facility in Florida in 2018. Anibal Aranda, McKenzie's coach at the time, was found to have assaulted her, leading to McKenzie suffering from panic attacks, anxiety, and depression. McKenzie was granted $3 million in compensatory damages and $6 million in punitive damages after a jury found that the USTA had consciously disregarded the safety of others by attempting to keep McKenzie's case quiet.

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Kylie McKenzie (Wikipedia)

Kylie McKenzie (born 21 March 1999) is an American tennis player from Arizona.

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Ruling on Zion Williamson's Contract

A federal appeals court upheld a 2021 ruling declaring NBA star Zion Williamson's contract with a marketing agent void due to the agent's lack of licensing in North Carolina when the agreement was made in 2019. Gina Ford, the Florida-based agent, claimed $100 million from Williamson for breaking the endorsement representation deal. The court found Ford was unlicensed in North Carolina at the time, safeguarding Williamson from contract penalties. Judge Albert Diaz's opinion supported this ruling after Williamson, the top pick in the 2019 NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, terminated the contract with Ford's agency and joined Creative Artists Agency LLC.

Coco Gauff clarifies her reaction to USTA cartoon post

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United States Court Tennis Association (Wikipedia)

The United States Court Tennis Association is the governing body for the sport of real tennis in the United States. The first association president, William L. Van Alen, convened its initial meeting on January 30, 1955, at New York City's Racquet and Tennis Club. William F. McLaughlin Jr. was president from 2001 to 2006 and while the USCTA celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia. The new president, Jim Wharton, was appointed in 2006.The United States Court Tennis Preservation Foundation, incorporated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 26, 1994, is an affiliated charitable organization (501(c)3) that promotes education and training for young players, the preservation of existing historic courts, and construction of new venues. The foundation's largest project to date was assisting in the construction of the International Tennis Club of Washington. This was the first court built in the United States in over 80 years. Haven N. B. Pell is Chairman (2005-) and Jonathan H. Pardee is chairman emeritus. The foundation is headquartered at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia.In 2014 there were 10 active courts (at 9 clubs) in the United States: Boston, Newport, Tuxedo Park, NY, New York City, Lakewood, NJ (Georgian Court University), Philadelphia, Chicago, McLean, VA and Aiken, SC. Greentree, Manhasset Long Island is dormant.